~Feel free to discuss any topic related to the Mitchell Camera. Both 35 mm and 16 mm models are welcomed here. Also consider posting topics of other major motion picture cameras that you feel are important to the development of the Mitchell Camera.

Update: You may have noticed that we have returned to just one category as opposed to dividing the forum into 7 different areas. Apparently, it was an unpopular change and returning to the old format will allow posters to find their submissions more easily.~

The Debbie Reynolds auction was a once in a life time event to collect the most rare of the rare in Mitchell equipment history. (among many other things she collected). This VistaVision camera was a beauty. The text and photo below are from the Debbie Reynolds "Profiles In History" auction catalog. Click the photo to enlarge.

VistaVision Motion Picture Camera #29 used in Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief, Disney’s Mary Poppins and Lucas’ Star Wars. (ca. 1950s) Historic VistaVision Camera #29 on dolly. The camera was originally purchased from Mitchell camera by Paramount Pictures. It was used on numerous projects including several Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis films including Artists and Models. It continued to be used by Paramount for Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch A Thief, Fred Astaire’s Funny Face as well as Lil Abner, and Spartacus before it was rented and then sold to Walt Disney Studios as a special effects camera. The camera was then used by Peter Ellenshaw to photograph background plates for Mary Poppins, Pete’s Dragon, Bedknobs and Broomsticks and the original Tron. George Lucas borrowed the camera from Disney to photograph special effects on his Star Wars series of films.

The camera returned to Paramount Pictures in the late 1980’s where it was used by Roy H. Wagner ASC, Director of Photography on numerous occasions as a special effects camera principally on the skydiving film Drop Zone. This VistaVision #29 camera shot the very last film shot in VistaVision: Debbie Reynolds’ My Six Loves (1963). Camera features Baltar 100mm lens by Bausch and Lomb, Rare Mitchell off-set geared head with riser. Fully functional camera movement, matte box and Mitchell viewfinder. Consisting of 8 pieces. Outer metal casing is 27 x 25 x 15.75. Includes lens cover and (6) carrying cases ranging in size from 12.75 x 8.75 x 7.25 in. to 27.25 x 16.5 x 25.5 in. Accompanied by a stomp-up “sputnik” dolly. Special shipping arrangements will apply. Comes with a letter of provenance from Roy H. Wagner, ASC. $60,000 - $80,000

The VistaVision that is at the museum of moving image has a lot of history. It first went to Egypt with DeMille to film the Ten Commandments, and toward the end of its life was used by ILM. The other VV pictured on the short metal base, or hi-hat, is also significant, but I can't remember the number, I am thinking no. 3? If that is correct it also went to Egypt! Lots of great great history here!

I was offered this very camera by Martin Hill around 1995 for 18k. I didn't purchase it at the time because I was looking for a smaller-lighter 8 perf camera and settled on a Stein that had 3 reg pins. I have detailed photos of this camera that I took when it was at Martin's place. I can post them if anyone here wants to see them

Hello Mark. What a small world regarding this being the same camera. We would love to see detailed pictures! Please post as many as you can or alternately, I could devote an entire "Photo Tour" page on our web site with a credit to you. In that scenario, I would love to see 50 or so photos and I could send you a link where you could upload them all at once. This is one of my most favorite Mitchells.